Monday, 28 February 2011

Eager to take a walk with their cameras, the students didn't take much cajoling to get started on their latest field trip. Walking from the school in the early spring sun, we went the back way to Eglwys Llandingat, which is on the south-western edge of town. It has a fine lych gate and stands in the midst of a large graveyard. Because of its situation, the surrounding hills can be seen in a number of directions, giving photo opportunities that were very welcome in landscape terms. Everybody made the most of this by framing some of their shots to include the yew trees, the church building and the distant scenery.

Above: The Lych Gate at Eglwys Llandingat is a nice gathering place for Pantycelyn

Though we were unable to go inside due to there being a class going on, we were able to maximise on outdoor possibilities by exploring the extensive grounds and taking plenty of pictures of gravestones, mosses, lichen and some early flowers. There was a lot of creative thinking happening, with new angles being used to good effect. Examples of this were getting right down on the ground to photograph flowers against the sky and looking up the side if the church's tower to emphasise the vanishing points. After we had taken the group shot in the shelter of the lych gate, we made our way back to school, where looking at their three best shots of the morning was a real pleasure.

Ysgol Rhys Pritchard

In a big bus today, we travelled up the Brecon road a few miles and turned off to go through the hamlet of Pentre Ty Gwyn. Further still up the very narrow road, we stopped at Pantycelyn Farm, where Mrs. Williams very warmly welcomed us. She is a direct descendent of the famous hymn writer William Williams. Not only is our other Llandovery school named after it, but also it is a place of pilgrimage for people from around the world. We timed it right because we had the place to ourselves and Mrs. Williams could devote her attentions entirely to the awed children. First, we took lots of pictures of the farm itself, which nestles in a shallow valley.

Above: Ysgol Rhys Pritchard children and staff welcomed to Pantycelyn by Mrs. Williams

There were many subjects here and it took quite a while before the kids were ready to walk up to the farm buildings where we were allowed in to admire the sheep and their newly born lambs. Trying to be a quiet as possible, the children photographed all they saw. Back outside, we went back to the farmhouse and, taking off our boots, we were welcomed into the Williams' home. Admiring the historic items, including paintings, plates, books and a grandfather clock, we then all signed the visitors' book. It had been a very interesting and educational field trip for us all and the children evidently were inspired, judging by the quality of their best three shots shown back in class.

Wednesday, 16 February 2011

Working very hard, the students at QE High finalised the work for the project today. As before, we did it in sections and this worked very well, especially as we had buddies from the sixth form to help out. It is always tricky to decide what your best shots are and it's even more difficult to say why you took them.

Above: The class and staff at the last session at QE High

Nevertheless, everyone finished the tasks and we all were satisfied that we had done the best we could. There is no doubt that the exhibition is going to be very beautiful. Judging by the selections that people have made and the comments they have made about them, we will have a star of a show. Congratulations everybody!

Johnstown Juniors

It has been a long haul, but the rewards are very great. The class at Johnstown are stars. There are many fine pictures and, I hope, some very happy children. Today, we worked extremely hard to finish our tasks, which we did in the time limit. Some of the class were unavailable; so they will have to do the last bits in class time. That aside, it was a magnificent achievement.

Above: Students and buddies at the last session in Johnstown

Again, the year six buddies were on hand to offer advice and assistance. Their help was invaluable and it was great to include them in the final group shot. We had a lot of fun taking the portrait pictures and it will be lovely to see them proudly placed on their own boards at the exhibition.

Monday, 7 February 2011

Our second field trip was spectacular. In the minibus we followed the Tywi up through Cilycwm and Rhandir-mwyn to the dam at Llyn Brianne, stopping first at the viewing point. Here, in the distance, the dam itself can be seen, along with the huge ramp of the spillway. Today, we were really lucky in that the water was flowing down the spillway, providing a stunning backdrop. The students happily took lots of pictures of the views in every direction. We were lucky that it wasn't actually raining, but the wind was strong and the light levels good, even though there was no sun. We also photographed details of rocks with lichen, grass and fences before getting back in the bus to go up to the top of the dam.

Above: Pantycelyn class with Llyn Brianne's spillway in full flow

Here, it was altogether different! Being much more exposed, this area was affected by some pretty strong winds, making the experience very funny, while people were buffeted around. Despite this, the class enjoyed photographing this most stunning of mountainous landscapes. Waves on the reservoir itself, the water rushing down the spillway and the very size of this feat of engineering gave the children many creative opportunities. They were certainly inspired, judging by the quality of the images they showed me back in the classroom.

Ysgol Rhys Pritchard

By the afternoon, the light levels had improved, though the temperature still required the wearing of coats and scarves as we walked to the church at Llanfair y Bryn. Stopping off to collect the key, we entered via the lych gate, photographing the outside of this ancient building and the views before entering. What a beautiful church! There was much to take pictures of here, including the roof, stalls, pulpit and lovely stained glass.

Above: Rhys Pritchard kids around the old oak tree Llandovery

Having satisfied ourselves we had taken all the pictured we needed, we moved off down to the other side of town to the river bridge. Here the river and bridge offered plenty of sources of inspiration, as did the huge stump of the ancient oak tree on the far side. On the way back we stopped to ‘film' the train arriving in the station from the Llandeilo direction. The station manager and the conductor were very pleased to have an appreciative audience and were very helpful as the level crossing was operated from the station. Here was something all of us had never experienced.

It was certainly a good day for photography and the three locations provided the kids with different challenges, which they fully exploited. This was evident back in class, where it was obvious that everybody had taken excellent pictures. Roll on the exhibition.

Wednesday, 2 February 2011

Today, we worked hard at our second session at the computer face. For logistical reasons we had to dived the class into two parts. This meant that we had to work efficiently at making those all to difficult choices about which pictures to put in the '20 Best' folder. The task can be very tricky, especially when there are lots of lovely photos from which to choose.

Above: QE High computer session

With help from staff and buddies, though we were all able to get to the point where we could leave the work for our next and last class. Many students managed to achieve the even more tricky separation of the '10 best'. These, of course, will be the shots that will be printed up for the exhibition.

Johnstown Juniors

All, despite problems with the computer system, today had a great session. This entailed quite long waits for everybody while the files were copied to the individual computers. Nevertheless, buddies from year six were on hand to help out when things got going. Everybody achieved the goal of choosing their twenty best and some did better by getting to the final choices. Well done!

Above: Johnstown Juniors hard at it!

Next session, we will need to finalise choices and name the pictures, providing a caption for each one. Also, the individual portraits and final group shots will be taken.